World pledges US$10,5b to rebuild Afghanistan

LONDON – A major donors’ conference for Afghanistan ended on Wednesday with pledges totalling US$10,5 billion to rebuild the strategic Central Asian nation over the next five years.

Afghan Finance Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Ahady hailed the outcome of the two-day gathering of 70-odd nations, saying the funds would help his destitute country “realise our development strategy” after many years of bloody conflict. Some 80 per cent of the US$10,5 billion represents new money, with the remainder made up of outstanding portions of earlier pledges, added Ahady at the conference’s conclusion in London.”This level of commitment underscores the message that Afghanistan will remain a priority for the international community,” said British Foreign Office Minister Kim Howells.The United States pledged an extra US$1,1 billion in financial aid for the coming US fiscal year from October, slightly less than US$1,2 billion from the World Bank.One billion dollars were pledged by the Asian Development Bank, US$855 million from Britain, US$480 million from Germany and US$450 million from Japan.The European Union pledged US$268 million, Spain US$182 million, India US$181 million, the Netherlands US$179 million, Saudi Arabia US$153 million, Pakistan US$150 million and Norway US$144 million.France trailed well behind with US$55 million.- Nampa-AFPSome 80 per cent of the US$10,5 billion represents new money, with the remainder made up of outstanding portions of earlier pledges, added Ahady at the conference’s conclusion in London.”This level of commitment underscores the message that Afghanistan will remain a priority for the international community,” said British Foreign Office Minister Kim Howells.The United States pledged an extra US$1,1 billion in financial aid for the coming US fiscal year from October, slightly less than US$1,2 billion from the World Bank.One billion dollars were pledged by the Asian Development Bank, US$855 million from Britain, US$480 million from Germany and US$450 million from Japan.The European Union pledged US$268 million, Spain US$182 million, India US$181 million, the Netherlands US$179 million, Saudi Arabia US$153 million, Pakistan US$150 million and Norway US$144 million.France trailed well behind with US$55 million.- Nampa-AFP